The Society of Editors has paid tribute to the celebrated journalist, broadcaster and charity campaigner Dame Esther Rantzen following her death aged 86.

Rantzen, the founder of Childline and Silver Line, was best known for hosting the BBC consumer and magazine show That’s Life! for 21 years from 1973 to 1994. In 2023, she was also presented with an outstanding contribution to journalism award at the Society of Editors’ Media Freedom Awards 2023.The event, which brought together more than 250 journalists and news leaders from across the news industry, saw Rantzen presented with the award in recognition of what was described as a career dedicated to “supporting, uplifting and giving a voice to others.”

Paying tribute, Dawn Alford, Chief Executive of the Society of Editors said: “The death of Dame Esther Rantzen marks the passing of one of the most important and influential broadcasters and campaigners.

“Not only did she dedicate her career to supporting and giving a voice to some of the most vulnerable in society, she understood the power of television and journalism not simply to entertain, but to ask difficult questions, expose wrongdoing and give a voice to people who might otherwise have gone unheard.”